Telegram founder Pavel Durov has strongly criticized Spain's newly proposed regulations on social media, particularly those concerning age verification and platform accountability. The measures, announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, aim to ban social media usage for individuals under 16 and impose stricter rules on digital platforms. Durov argues that these proposals threaten privacy and free speech, potentially setting a precedent for mass surveillance under the guise of protection.

Sánchez's government defends the initiative as necessary to protect minors and combat issues like hate speech and misinformation, which he described social media as a "failed state" at the World Government Summit in Dubai. The proposed regulations would require platforms to implement "effective age-verification systems," potentially involving national identification documents or biometric data, and take stronger action against abuse. Furthermore, the manipulation of algorithms and amplification of illegal content would be classified as criminal offenses, and executives could face personal criminal liability for failing to remove controversial content promptly.

Durov, however, views these measures as a dangerous overreach. He highlights several points of concern, including the erosion of anonymity due to mandatory age verification, which could lead to the collection and storage of vast amounts of personal data. He also suggests that personal liability for platform executives could result in over-censorship, as platforms would likely delete any material that could potentially raise concerns from regulators. The Telegram founder also warns that vaguely worded clauses regarding "inciting hatred" could be used to suppress dissenting opinions, with any criticism of authorities potentially being deemed dangerous. He believes that the criminalization of algorithmic amplification risks state-controlled content.

Durov issued a call to action for Spanish users, urging them to stay vigilant, demand transparency, and fight for their rights. He warned that the proposed regulations are not safeguards but rather steps toward total control, potentially turning Spain into a surveillance state where every online activity is tracked and recorded. He also urged them to share his message widely.

These concerns echo similar warnings from other figures, highlighting a growing debate over how to balance online safety with fundamental rights. Several other countries, including France and the UK, are also considering introducing age limits for social media use. The European Commission presented a concept for an age verification solution in July 2025 that allows users to prove they are over 18 without sharing personal information. A second blueprint published in October 2025 offered onboarding with passports and ID cards, based on the same technical specifications as the EUDI wallet that member states must introduce by the end of 2026.

As of now, Sánchez's office has not responded to Durov's public warning. The debate in Spain underscores the challenges governments face in regulating the digital space while preserving civil liberties.